Concrete-form-clamping device



Aug. 26, 1930. I s. s. COLT 1,774,317

CONCRETE FORM CLAMPING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ill a INVENTOR' flamzceffi BY ATTORNEY Aug. 26, 1930. s. s. COLT 1,774,317

CONCRETE FORM CLAMPING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 37 5 ll 30 lzl Patented Aug. 26, 1 930 rrs srares PATENT OFFI SAMUEL 5. COLT, 0F ORANGE, NEW JERSEY GONCRETE-IEORM-GLAMPING DEVICE Application filed. April 3,

This invention relates to adjustable clamping devices for retaining the walls of concrete pouring forms in desired assembled relation.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novel arran ement of adjustable clamping devices having tightening wedges I walls. 7

The invention has for a further object to provice in connection with the clamp bars The invention has for another object to provide means whereby a wedge device and clamp bar may be assembled in non-sepaiao e relation, while nevertheless leaving the Wedge free for operative movement relatlve to the clamp bar. 7

ther objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

The invention is illustrated in the accom panying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of one arrangement and construction of the adjustable clamping devices of this invention operatively related to assembled form walls, the latter being shown in horizontal section; Fig. 2 is a similar fragmentary'plan view on an enlarged scale; and Fig; 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 in said Fig. 2.

t is a fragmentary plan view of a modified construction and arrangement of adjustable clamping devices, embodying the principles of this invention; Fig 5 is a longitudinal section through the same, taken on line 55 in Fig. 4:; and Fig. 6 is a transverse section, taken on line 6--6 in said Fig. 4.

Similar characters of reference are em- 1928. Serial No. 266,995.

ployed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive .of the drawings, the reference character 10 in-- dicates the form walls so arranged as to provide a mold or form of rectangular crosssection, such as would be employed in pouring concrete piers, columns and similar structures. I

To retain a rectangular form of the kin above mentioned in'position, a set of four Inutually interengageable clamping devices made according tothis invention would be required. Each such clamping device comprises a stretcher or bar 11 preferably made of flatsteel. Rigidly connected with one end portion of each stretcher or bar 11, and in overlying parallel relation thereto is a clip member 12, the same being spaced from the body of the stretcher or bar 11 by a spacing block 13 interposed between the outer end thereof and theadjacent end of said stretcher or bar 11, and then rigidly secured in such re lation by rivets 14, or any other suitable kind .of fastening means. lVhile the clip member 12 and stretcher'or bar 11 may beassembled to provide a fabricated construction as above describech'it will never the less be understood that the partsimay be assembled in other ways, or the clip member may be made as an integral part of the end portion of the stretcher or bar if desired. When the clip member 12 and stretcher or bar 11 are arranged as described, a;receiving socket or space 15 intermediate the same is provided in which the free end of an associated stretcher or bar 11 may be engagedwhen assembling the clamping device-sin mutally interengaged operative relation. Assembled with each stretcher or bar 11, so.as to be transversely movable through the rearward-or inner portion of the receiving socket orspace 15 intermediate the stretcher or bar 11 and its clip member 12, is a tightening wedge 16 having an oblique or inclined margin 17 at its outer side. Theinner end of the'spacing block 13, or equivalent portion bounding the inner end of thereceivingsocketor space 15, is formed to provide an oblique abutment18 corresponding to the oblique side 17 of the wedge 16 and against which the same thrusts when actuated. In

order to retain the wedge in non-separable and yet operative relation to the stretcher or bar 11 with which it is associated I provide in the body of the wedge an opening or counter-sunk cavity 19 extending longitudinally thereof, and I provide in fixed relation to clip member 1:2, or other stationary part of the stretcher or bar structure, a keeper tongue or projection 20 which, when the wedge is assembled with the stretcher or bar, is entered in the opening or cavity 19 so that, while an adequate degree of free longitudinal movement is permitted to the wedge relative to the stretcher or bar, entire displacement or separation of one from the other is prevented by the engagement of said tongue or projection with the margins of said opening or cavity. Provided in the stretcher or bar 11 and its clip member 12 are a series of registered openings or perforations 21 extending in a transverse row. In the body of the wedge I provide a longitudinal row of openings or perforations 22, which are aligned to said openings or perforations 21 so as to be selectively registerable with the latter when the wedge is moved lengthwise. The openings or perforations 21 of the stretcher or bar structure are spaced closer together than are the openings or perforations 22 of the wedge, and consequently a Vernier-like interrelation of the two said groups of openings or perforations is provided, whereby but slight relative movement of the wedge relative to the stretcher or bar structure will bring some one of the openings or perforations of the former into registration with one or the other of the set of openings or perforations of the latter, so that the wedge may easily be interlocked with the stretcher or bar structure, in substantially any position to which it may be adjusted when actuated, by inserting a retaining pin through the registered openings. Said keeper pin 23 may consist of a nail, cotter-pin, or other suitable device. By this novel arrangement extremely delicate adjustment of the wedge in tightened position may be obtained, and when obtained the wedge may be securely retained against displacement therefrom. This Vernier-like arrangement of the respective cooperating groups of the openings or perforations of the wedge and bar is one of the importantnovel elements of the instant invention. Each stretcher or bar 11 is provided, extending backwardly from its free end, with a longitudinal row of spaced openings or perforations 24:.

hen operatively assembling the clamping devices in encircling and holding relation to rectangularly disposed form walls 10, the series of stretchers or bars are arranged at right angles one to the other against the outer faces of said form walls 10, with the free end of one thereof engaged in the receiving socket or space 15 of the next adjoining one thereof,

and so as to lie intermediate the abutting form wall and the wedge 16 of the latter, the wedges being withdrawn rearwardly to an initial position. Iv hen the parts are thus assembled relative to the form to be clamped thereby, holding pins 25 are inserted through an opening or perforation 2d at the outer side of an adj-a 'ent intcrengaged stretcher or bar 11 to prevent separation of thus interconnected clamping devices. Vhen the parts are thus disposed, the clamping devices are ready to be finally tightened home in close gripping relation to the form walls. This latter operation attained by driving home the w dges 16, thus taking up all slack in the encircling clamping devices and thereby se curing a snug and tight gripping embracing relation of the latter to the form. lVhen the wedges 16 are driven home to tightening position, the retaining pins 23 are inserted through the particular openings or perforations 2122 which have been brought into alignment or registration, thus locking wedges against slipping and consequently holding the clamping devices against accidental displacement froni operative interengaged relation to the form.

From the above description it will be obvious that the instant invention provides a very simple and yet highly cilicient arrangement of mutually interengageable clamping devices for the purposes intended, and also of such construction that they maybe very closely adjusted and then securely locked in the attained adjusted relation by reason of the novel vernier-lilre grouping of cooperating openings or perforations with which each stretcher or bar and its associate wedge provided. Furthermore, the wedge of each stretcher or bar is retained against separation therefrom while yet being capable of adequate operative manipulation, and consequently impairment cf clamping ah vices by separation and loss of parts composing the same is avoided; this being a practical convenience of considerable advantage to the users of the devices.

Referring now to Figs. et to 6 inclusive I have shown therein a somewhat modified a1- rangement and construction of my novel clamping devices, which still embodies, however, the general principles involved in the present invention.

In this modified construction I have provided an arrangement whereby the stretchers or bars may be adjusted with reference to length thereof desired be used in a given cas To this end I provide a stretcher or bar 11, on one end of which is siidably and adjustably mounted a sleeve 26 with which is connected the overlying clip member 12. The stretcher or bar 11 is provided with a longitudinal row of spaced openings or perforations 2. and the sleeve :26 with a through opening 28 which may be selectively regis- 'tered with'one ofsaid openings or perforations 2'{,--accord1ng to the operative length of registered openings or perforations 27-2S.

If desired a stop member 30 may be furnished adjacent the rear end of the stretcher or bar 11 to prevent displacement of the sleeve 26 therefrom. The clip member 12 is spaced from'the stretcher orbar ll so as to provide the receiving socket or space 15 in which the wedge 16 is disposed, and in which may be received the free end of a mutually cooperating adjacent stretcher or bar 11. The wedge'lo is provided with the opening or cavity 19 to receive the cooperating keeper tongue or projection 20' of the clip member 12, for the purposes already above meniii) tioned, and also the free end portion of the stretcher or bar 11 is provided with the longitudinal row of spaced openings or perforations The wed e 16'' is provided with the longitu- Jdinal rowof spaced openings or perforations 22'. Inasmuch as the bar is movable through'the sleeve '26, a modifiedarrange ment is required for the location of the group of openings or perforations 21 which possess the vernier-like cooperative relation to the wedge openings or perforations 22'; to satisfy this requirement Iproi'ide the sleeve 26 at one side with a laterally off-set tongue or arm 26 which overlies that portion of the wedge 16" occupied by the openings or per fora'tions and in this tongue or arm 26 dispose-o. the reqni ed openings or perforations 21 which cooperate with the wedge openings 22 for the reception of a retaining pin 23. g

It will be obvious from an inspection of the drawings, that aside from stretcher or bar adjustment features of the described -modilied arrangement of the clamping de- 7 vices, that LllQ same correspond substantially in construction, arrangement, and mode of use to the first described structure; and, furthermore, all the advantages heretofore pointed out involved in the construction and use of the clamping device of said first de-f aforcscribed strucmre are inherent in the said modified structure.

I am aware that changes, other than those above mentioned, ma he made in ii arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of this invention as described in the foregoing specification, and

as defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as set forth in th foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of said parts for the reception of holding pins 25'.

e generaha as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings. i

I claim: I Y

1. Ina formclamping device, a clamp bar structure having means at one end to mount a tighteningwedge for operative movement relative thereto and means to receive the end of a cooperating clamp bar to dispose the a tightening, wedge for operative movement relative thereto and means to receive the end of a cooperating clamp bar to dispose the same between said wedge and the form to which the clamping device is applied, said wedge and said clamp bar structure. having groups of cooperating retaining'pin receiving perforations, said groups of perforations having a vernier-like relation oneto the other and means for retaining the wedge in nonseparable relation: to the clamp bar structure.

3. In a form clamping device a clamp bar structure having means at one end to mount tightening wedge for operative movement relative thereto and means to receive the end of a cooperating clamp barto dispose the same between said wedge and the form to which the clampingdevice is applied, said ing perforations, said groups of perforations having a Vernier-like relation one to the other said wedge having a longitudinal cavity inits body, and a keeper tongue projecting from said clamp bar structure into said wedge cavity to retain said wedge in non-separable relation to said clamp bar structure.

4. In a form clamping device, a clamp bar structure having means at one end to mount a tightening wedge for operative relation thereto and means to receive the end of a cooperating clamp bar to dispose the same between said wedgeand the form to which the clamping device is applied, said wedge having a longitudinal cavity inits body, and keeper tongueproject-ing from said clamp bar structure into said wedge cavity to retain the wedge in non-separable relation to the clamp bar structure.

5. A form clamping device, comprising mutually interengageable clamp bar structures adapted to be mounted in encircling relation to a form to be held thereby, each clamp bar structure having at one end a receiving socket forming'means having at one end thereof a wedge thrust abutment, a tightening wedge movable endwise through said socket forming means and against said thrust abutment, said receiving socket of one clamp bar structure being adapted to receive a portion of an adjacent clamp bar structure for disposition between said wedge and the form to which the clamping device is applied, said wedge having a longitudinal cavity in its body, and a keeper tongue in fixed relation to a wall of said receiving socket for projection into said wedge cavity to retain said wedge in non-separable relation to said clamp bar structure with which it is assembled.

6. A form clamping device, comprising mutually interengageable clamp bar structures adapted to be mounted in encircling relation to a form to be held thereby, each clamp bar structure having at one end a receiving socket forming means having at one end thereof a wedge thrust abutment, a tightening wedge movable endwFse through said socket forming means and against said thrust abutment, said receiving socket on one clamp bar structure being acapted to re ceive a portion of an adjacent clamp bar structure for disposition between aid wedge and the form to which the clampi device is applied, and said wedge and clamp bar structure with which it is assembled having groups of cooperating retaining pin receiving perforations, sa d groupsof perforations havmg a Vernier-like relation one to the other.

7. A form of clamping device, comprising mutually interengageable clamp bar structures adapted to be mounted in encircling relation to a form to be held thereby, each clamp bar structure having at one end a receiving socket forming means having at one end thereof a wedge thrust abutment, a tightening wedge movable cndwise through said socket forming means and against sait thrust abutment, said receiving socket on one clamp bar structure being adapted to receive a portion of an adjacent clamp bar structure for disposition between said wedge and the form to which the clamping device is applied, said wedge and clamp bar structure with which it is assembled having groups of cooperating retaining pin receiving perforations, said groups of perforations having a Vernier-like relation one to the other, and means for retaining the inserted adjacent clamp bar structure against withdrawal from said receiving socket means.

8. A form clamping device, comprising mutually interengageable clamp bar structures adapted to be mounted in encircling relation to a form to be held thereby, each clamp bar structure having at one end thereof a wedge thrust abutment, a tightening wedge movable endwise through said socket forming means and against said thrust abutment, said receiving socket on one clamp bar structure being adapted to receive a portion of an adjacent clamp bar structure for disposition between said Wedge and the form to which the clamping device is applied, said wedge and clamp bar structure with which it is assembled having groups of cooperating retaining pin receiving perforations, said groups of perforations having a Vernier-like relation one to the other said wedge having a longitudinal cavity in its body, and a keeper tongue in fixed relation to a wall of said receiving socket for projection into said wedge cavity to retain said wedge in non-separable relation to said clamp bar structure with which it is assembled.

9. A form clamping device, comprising mutually interengageable clamp bar structures adapted to be mounted in encircling relation to a form to be held thereby, each clamp bar structure having at one end a receiving socket forming means having at one end thereof a wedge thrust abutment, a tightening wedge movable endwise through said socket forming means and against said thrust abutment, said receiving socket on one clamp bar structure being adapted to receive a. portion of an adjacent clamp bar structure for disposition between said wedge and the form to which the clamping device is applied, said wedge and clamp bar structure with which it is assembled having groups of cooperating retaining pin receiving perforations, said groups of preforations having a vernier-like relation one to the other and means for retaining the inserted adjacent clamp bar structure against withdrawal from said receiving socket means said wedge having a longitudinal cavity in its body, and a keeper tongue in fixed relation to a wall of said receiving socket for projection into said wedge cavity to retain said wedge in non-separable relation to said clamp bar structure with which it is assembled.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of April, 1928.

SAMUEL S. COLT.

4i am; it, 

